by CJ Murphy
Dee clasped Maggie’s hand. “It was one way I could take Maggie, and no one think twice about it.”
Chance cleared her throat. “A few years ago, Kendra took that Morris girl to the prom. It still rattled people.”
Maggie nodded. “So many things have changed for the better, though we aren’t where we need to be yet. We had to be terribly discreet. If you think about it, what we were doing by being together was illegal, and we were underage. Anyway, I’d turned Frank down and he wasn’t happy about it. No one turned down the star. Your mother eventually went with Leonard Hall. Every time Dee and I went somewhere together, your mother tagged along. She had a tendency to snub Dee whenever she got the opportunity—little smug remarks, or a jab whenever she could. You know how teenagers are. We all believe we can only have one best friend. The thing is, we realized later that your mother didn’t just want to be my best friend. She wanted to be my girlfriend.” Maggie looked up at Jax with tears in her eyes.
Dee stroked Maggie’s hand. “It’s okay, honey, tell her.”
“Dee was working one night at her father’s convenience store, and your mother came over to my house. We were listening to records, or vinyl, as I’ve heard Kendra call it. That was a big thing back in our day. Of course, we called them records.” Maggie stopped and wagged a finger between Chance and Jax. “No old jokes, you two. Anyway, we were in my room listening and singing along. When your mother sang along to “Unchained Melody,” she wasn’t looking at me the way a friend would. She surprised me by kissing me. I sat there in shock and had no idea what to say.”
Jax tried with all her might not to laugh, but she couldn’t stop herself. The thought of her mother having even a single lesbian thought in her mind went beyond amusing Jax. It also angered her. All the hell she’d put Jax through. The number of times Jacqueline St. Claire had spewed disdain for Jax’s life, and here the object of her mother’s own desire sat in front of her telling her a story Jax could barely believe. “It all makes sense now.”
Maggie nodded. “Your mother laid out her feelings with her heart on her sleeve. I tried desperately to not hurt her, but I had my heart set on a tall redhead with a laugh that reminded me of warm honey. When I told her I was in love with Dee, your mother went into a rage. She demanded to know why not her. Why wasn’t she good enough for me? Nothing I said, no amount of explanation, could appease your mother. After calling Dee and me every vile name she could think of, she stormed out of my room and started a course of vindictive actions that caused the two of us a great deal of grief. Years later, that same vindictiveness sent you running for California, away from Chance and what you two could have had. Your Uncle Martin was livid at the way she treated us. I think he always knew about me and had suspicions about your mother. I tried to talk to her when you left for California, imploring her to stop. She vowed that you would never spend one more minute with Chance if she could help it.”
Jax pushed up in the bed, trying to relieve the pain in her back that had developed from lying there for hours on end. “She made good on that threat, trust me. That first year I met Chance, she grounded me after I got back. Informed me she was not going to let me defile myself. I knew I was a lesbian before I met Chance. I’d never acted on it. I turned my attention to my studies. I had to have a scholarship to be able to attend vet school. My original plan was Virginia Tech. After meeting Chance, I started exploring West Virginia’s program. The minute Mom saw paperwork from the school, she went ballistic. She informed me she wouldn’t pay a dime for my education if I went there. Scholarships pay for a good bit, but there are expenses I’m sure you remember paying for Chance and now Kendra.”
Dee chuckled. “We do. We were fortunate with Kendra’s scholarship. With Chance, we tried to put away money from any of our real-estate sales to make sure she had what she needed. She had to work for her fun money. College isn’t cheap, and I imagine veterinary school had to be even more expensive with the length.”
Chance shook her head. “I had to pay for my own truck too. Dad didn’t leave much when he passed away, I’m sure. I’ve always been grateful to have landed where I did with you two. I know it wasn’t easy.”
Maggie stood and put a hand on Chance’s cheek. “We were young, barely out of college ourselves. I worshiped my big brother. He was seven years older than I was. The day he met your mother, there was no going back for him. Ray wanted a family. Losing your mother so young was his greatest sorrow, but raising you was his greatest joy. When he died, I couldn’t think of any better way to honor him than raising you to be the woman you’ve become.”
Jax watched the love between the women standing near her. How she wished she’d have made different choices back then and avoided missing so many years with Chance.
Dee turned to Jax. “You’ve always been a part of this family, Jax, even when you weren’t here. Not a year went by when your Uncle Marty didn’t give us an update on how you were doing.”
Jax wiped a tear away. “He and Aunt Mary were the only ones to ever fight for me. He used to send me money for school. I can’t tell you how many books or pizzas he bought. It wasn’t easy, but I got through. I thought I found love in California, a reason to stay out there and the life I’d always wanted. What a mistake that was. I was so very wrong.”
Chance leaned down and kissed her. “Not mistakes, only lessons learned. I wish more than anything to have those years back, but I won’t let it hinder the years ahead I have with you. It sounds like your dad is having a change of heart about a few things as well.”
Jax sighed and reached for a cup. She took a small swallow and placed it back on her table. “I hope so. It would be nice to believe at least one of my parents is glad I’m still around. It’s like I said, Mom got her do-over family with Jennings’ kids. The perfect family that she could mold into what she wanted. At least Jackie didn’t take after her personality. She’s a great deal like my brother, kindhearted, sensitive, and loving. Her brother, Jessie, reminds me of Dad, duty bound. He’s also as gay as I am.”
Chance’s eyebrows shot up. “Does your mom know?”
“Why do you think he went into the Air Force? He’s a technology geek and is happily living with his boyfriend of six years. He doesn’t come home often. If he does, he stays with his sister on the premise of visiting with his niece and nephew.”
Maggie paced across the room. “I wish I could go back and help your mother find her way. She might have ended up exactly where she is with an entirely different mindset. I tried to be kind, I truly did, Jax.”
Jax waved Maggie to her. “Come here.” When Maggie came to sit in the chair beside her, she took Maggie’s hand. “None of this is your fault. The only difference between then and now is that I have control over my life. I say where I live and who I love. It’s my decision who I let into my life. When I called home to tell Mom I was engaged to Lacey, she refused to speak to me for over a month. What she didn’t know was a great deal of my decision to stay out there was based on the desire to keep her far from my life. Once she found out Lacey came from a wealthy family with power and influence, it suddenly didn’t matter that I was a lesbian. All had been forgiven, because I wasn’t marrying Chance. As long as I had nothing to do with a Fitzsimmons, life went on. The problem is, she was the only one happy about that.”
Maggie grimaced and shook her head. “Such a sad way to live life. I honestly don’t think your mother would have stayed in a same-sex relationship. She was far too boy crazy. Back then, you didn’t discuss being bisexual, even in our circles. I have no idea what she even saw in me.”
Dee came around and knelt before her. “Oh, I don’t know. Beauty, brains, and a personality that lights up a room even on the darkest of days. I know exactly what she saw in you, because I was lucky enough to see it first.”
Maggie leaned over and kissed Dee softly. Jax looked up at Chance, who smiled lovingly at her parents. So many things Jax had missed. Not one more. I will not miss one more minute.
Chapter
Twenty-one
THE NEXT DAY, CHANCE ran into Rhebekka Deklan in the hallway. She’d left Kendra and Brandi chatting with Jax so she could run home to shower and pick up Zeus. Kendra and Brandi had volunteered to care for the horses before arriving. The hope was they would release Jax on Friday.
“Rhebekka, nice to see you. Are you stopping in for yourself or to see someone?”
Rhebekka was an interesting woman Chance had worked with several times over the last few years. On more than one occasion, Chance had called for her support on a death notification or to counsel a young person bordering on the edge of trouble.
“Good to see you too. Actually, I was coming to check on Jax. I went out to see Megan and Lindsey. I’m so glad to know they’re both all right. How are you doing?”
Chance shuffled her feet. “I’ve never been that scared.”
“I have no doubt she felt that same way when you were hurt. I hope to be able to sit down with both of you soon, so we can lay down some solid plans for this wedding. It gives me great pleasure to know that I’ll be performing Megan and Lindsey’s wedding, then yours and Jax’s. It’s always one of my favorite parts of this job.”
“If I haven’t told you this lately, I’m glad you landed here. You’ve made difficult situations much easier to handle. I’ve got to run home. Kendra is in with her. Go on up to see her.”
“Excellent idea. Will you be back soon?”
“I need to run home, then take care of a few work things. The job never stops, even when personal things come up. My sister and her girlfriend will be here for a while. I’m sure Kendra would enjoy seeing you.”
“I’ve missed her in my youth group. She always was killer at ArchAngel. I also heard about the big bust. Think it’s going to stop some of the drugs coming in?”
“We certainly hope so. Time will tell. Someone will always try to bring it in, there’s too much money in it. We can only stop what we know about.”
Rhebekka patted Chance on the shoulder. “I have every confidence in you. Now, get out of here. I’m going to go check on one of my favorite brides.”
Chance tipped her hat and headed to her vehicle. “Thanks, see you soon.”
***
Chance had made the drive on this winding road so many times she could do it in her sleep. Her mind wandered while she drove to the home she shared with Jax. She wanted to make sure everything would be ready when Jax came home. It was also time to check in with Harley. Chance used the voice activation to make the call.
“Hey, Harley.”
“How’s Jax?”
“Getting antsy.”
Jacqueline had returned to the hospital Wednesday evening. Jax still refused to see her. Chance had spoken with security, who stepped in to escort the woman back out of the hospital on Jax’s request.
“I heard she had an unwanted visitor.”
Chance sighed and growled in frustration. “I am extremely grateful to have been brought up in a home with parents who accepted me exactly as I was. Maggie and Dee never tried to change how I was or who I wanted to be with.”
“That’s how I felt about Megan. I wouldn’t choose the road my child has walked, but she was free to follow her heart. I’m grateful to be gaining another daughter, but I’d have been just as grateful to gain a son if that’s what Meg had wanted. Let’s talk about something we can do something about. The preliminary report on those drugs is coming back with the same chemical makeup as the overdose calls. The packaging is the same, colored straws with melted ends to hold the product. We found the clothing we were looking for and another hay hook. Both appear to have paint scrapes the same color as Jax’s truck. The lab will confirm. The second bike was in the outbuilding. Prints all over them belong to Leland and Danny.”
“All good news, my friend. Anything else?”
Chance could hear Harley flipping through something.
“Get this, we found a ledger book with a few interesting things.”
“Like?”
“The names of those guys who had Doc Hendricks. The dates of the entries fall in with what appears to be a delivery on the day they shot Kenny and kidnapped Doc. Connect the dots, and I think we’ve found our link.”
“Harley, that is the best news I’ve heard since they said Jax was going to be fine. I need to check in with Taylor before I head back to the hospital. I’ll pass that info on to her. Lindsey doing okay?”
“She’s extremely sore, and you know the concussion side effects. Megan is having a hard time keeping her down. Lindsey swears she needs to get to the clinic and feed the animals.”
Chance turned up the gravel road to the farm and hit a pothole she’d meant to fix. “Damn.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Just a reminder of the million non-law-enforcement-related things I’m behind on. Tell Lindsey we’ve got the clinic covered. Doc is going in, and he called Maddie and Allie from Doggy Sodds to help with the feeding and walks. Kendra and Brandi have volunteered to help as well. Tell her to relax; we’ve got this. You can also tell Megan I’m having the same trouble with Jax. Give them both my love. I’m going to get showered and changed. I didn’t want to leave, but Jax insisted I bring her a few things. She hates those hospital gowns. I have orders for track pants that snap up the side and a soft T-shirt. Her wish is my command.”
“That’s the spirit. Give her my best. I’ll keep digging on this new angle. I’m going to call the federal prosecutor and get her up to speed. Oh, before I forget, Taylor might not say anything, and I want you to know. I was in your office yesterday, and Brad walked through the door.”
Chance hit the steering wheel as she put the vehicle in park. “That son of a bitch better not have said a single word to—”
“Simmer down. I escorted him back outside before he could. Taylor was there with Penny at the desk, so nothing happened. It shook Penny up pretty good. Before you ask, she’s fine. Taylor wasn’t going to say anything, because you have enough on your plate. I asked Brad what he wanted. He gave some lame excuse of something in his locker. I informed him that any personal items still there would be mailed to him.”
Chance unclenched her jaw and took a deep breath. “Thanks for handling that. Penny doesn’t need any more stress. She’s past seven months along now. It’s going to be a race to see whether Jax and I get married before that baby comes into this world.”
“Let’s just hope it’s not at the same time. I’ll keep you updated. Hug Jax for me.”
“Will do.” Chance hung up and shut the Suburban off. She looked out over their home. More than four walls and a roof, it was a sanctuary Chance couldn’t wait to bring Jax home to. She was going to wrap her in all the love she could show her. With my dying breath, I vow that no one will ever hurt her again.
***
Jax held her side, as Brandi described the first time Kendra found the courage to look her in the eye.
“I swear, I couldn’t tell if she was shy or staring at my, well you know.” Brandi pointed both her index fingers toward her chest.
Kendra groaned. “I was not staring at your chest! My mothers would have smacked the back of my head for doing that to someone. I was nervous!”
“I’d been trying for weeks to get you to talk to me. I even bribed Holly to switch seats with me in that lab so you would talk to me. I bought her lunch for a week.”
Jax hugged a pillow tightly. “Oh God, Brandi, take it easy on me. My ribs are so sore.”
Kendra shook her head. “I swear, Jax. I wasn’t that bad. I’ve never been forward, and well, she’s so damn beautiful.”
Jax smiled at Kendra with love and affection. “You know, your sister was pretty shy too. Even though you aren’t blood related, I’m betting she rubbed off on you a bit. The first time I ever met her, she couldn’t say three words to me. Maggie said it was like she went mute. Of course, I thought she was the most gorgeous creature I’d ever met. I made sure Uncle Marty took me back. Eventually, they had a backyard barbeque, and Maggie invited me
. After that, I was taken in by the way Chance made me smile and laugh. There was a protective side of her as well. One of the guys she and Sarah went to school with asked me out. Chance told him we already had plans. Up until that point, our conversations had been casual without a great deal of substance. From that moment, I knew she was someone I wanted to know better. We enjoyed one more amazing summer followed by thirty years of wasted time.”
Kendra stood. “I’m going to grab us something to drink. Do you want anything, Jax?”
Jax nodded. “I’d kill for a hot chocolate.”
Kendra leaned over and kissed Brandi on the top of the head. “I’ll be right back.”
Jax watched Brandi’s eyes follow the younger Fitzsimmons to the door, never breaking the line of sight until she was gone. “She’s so much like Chance. It’s funny how two people born in completely different families can be so similar. Kendra is the product of powerful role models telling her she could be whoever she wanted to be.”
Brandi pulled on a charm attached to a bracelet on her wrist. “Chance is her hero in every sense of the word. If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times. Her goal in life is to make them proud, to be like Chance, and have a love that lasts as long as Maggie and Dee’s.”
“That admiration goes both ways. Chance knows how hard Kendra’s life was before she came to live with the Fitzsimmons. The sun rises and sets in Kendra for all of them. I always wanted a little sister. From what I see, I’m pretty lucky to have two.”
Brandi wrinkled her forehead in confusion. “Two?”
Jax nodded. “Unless I miss my guess, you don’t have any plans of going anywhere, anytime soon. When the Fitzsimmons girls love someone, they love with their whole being. That’s rare, Brandi, and something you don’t throw away. I never meant to, but that’s what I did. I wanted to be away from my mother so badly, I walked away from Chance and ended up in a relationship that made me question if true love existed.”